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In 1961, the Soviet Air Force issued an
requirement for a heavy lift helicopter able to carry major missile
components. It would be worked together with the Antonov An-22 airlifter
that would carry remote missile launch site. Mil OKB was selected for a
tandem-rotor layout development. The bureau claimed a twin side-by-side
rotor and a fixed-wing fuselage resembling configuration had better
stability. In 1965, the Mi-12 project was started. Two prototypes, both
being V-12 were built. The first prototype made its first flight in 1968
and crashed in 1969, but the second prototype established seven world
records in the same year. In 1971,
the V-12 was publicly displayed at the
Paris Air Show and was received NATO
codename Homer.
In the meantime the military concept of
deploying missiles had been altered since some of the missiles were
phased out. The intended Mi-12's mission was deemed no longer existed.
The Soviet Air Force refused to accept the helicopter for state
acceptance trails. All development on the V-12 was stopped in 1974. The
second prototype remained at the Monino Air Force Museum and is on
public display.
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